The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-06-30
FIRE FIEND.
The Town of Marshfield, Wis,
Entirely Destroyed by Fire
Loss, 81, 900, 900.
A 100000 Blaze-The Toliver
Gang of Desperadoes-The
Jake Sharp Trial.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, June 28.-A fire al
most swept the town of Marshtield out of
existence yesterday afternoon, and 1000
people are homeless. The loss is not less
than $1,0OO,OO0. All communication by
wire Is cut off, and it is almost impossible
to learn the particulars. A locomotive
spark started the blaze at noon in the
lumber yard of Upham's furniture fac.
tory, and it rapidly developed into roar
ing fire that spread toward the town. In
sufficient fire protection facilities pre-
vented any resistance to the flames, and
soon several hourishing factories, the bus
mess blocks along Main street, and ad-
joining residences were wraPped in
flames. People gathered such household
effects as they could and fled TO
the woods. The heat was so intense that
$500 feet of the Wisconsin Central rail
road track, which runs through one end
of the town, was bent and twisted into the
most grotesque shapes. Special trains
from Stevens Point and Chippewa Falls
conveyed fire engines to the place, but the
fire was beyond control. But one store
and few half burned houses remain of
fourishing town.
Many people were transferred by spec
ials to neighboring towns, and Others
camped on the outskirts of the town
Among the buildings destroyed were q
woodenware factory, grist mill, saw mill
and factory of the Upham Manufacturing
company, and the fremont and several
minor hotels, warehouses along the Wis
consin Central, its depotS, four churches,
and the entire business center. The in
surance is less than one-fifth of the loss.
MILLION DOLLARS LOSS.
MILWAUKEE, June 2S.-A special to the
Evening Wisconsin, from Marshfield,s says
at is impossible to get at the exact tig
ures of losses and insurance by yester
days fire. The loss will exceed one mill
ion dollars, and the total insurance viii
reach 100000. The agency of j. Reilly
held 100000 worth of risks. The burned
district embraces eight blocks, bounded
as follows: Fourth street on the south
Maple street on the east and Chestnu
street on the west.
"The Upham Manufacturing compan.
lost their saw mill, lumber yard, flour mill
elevator, $4,000 bushels of grain, 1000
barrels of -four, planning mill and furni
ture factory. Their loss is $250,OOO.
Sawyer, Rockwell d. Co., of Milwaukee,
are heavy losers, having the entire sed
sons cut of pine lumber destroyed.
Aid, in the way of provisions and cloth
ing is being received at Marshfeld. Their
are not enough roofs standing to shelte
,, the homeless, and the people are camping
in fields and woods, under wagons, rudel
constructed sheds, blankets and such house
. hold furniture as was saved. The seen
is pitiable one. The wearie
men and depressed women ar
watching the remnants of their home
and possessions promiscuously scatter
around in the surrounding woods, whic
! are lit up tonight by the glow thu
comes from the still burning mass thu
: covers acres which represented thrivin
village.
V SO rapid was the spread of the fire tht
i. little could be saved. Frantic men. an
| women used vehicles of every descriptio
: to save their goods, when the fire reacht
the residence part of the town.
Messages have been received that ti
! people are but scantily supplied With pr
y Visions and there will be suffeRRg unit
y aid is dispatched.